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NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Eleven families in New Britain are getting the keys to a fresh start, thanks to a city-run housing lottery designed for first-time homeowners.
The lottery didn’t involve scratch-offs or bingo cards, but it did take a bit of luck, and a lot of planning.
The homes are part of a city program that uses federal funds to turn unused land and older houses into livable housing. In this case, it started with the long-abandoned St. Thomas Aquinas School property at 74 Kelsey St.
“This site has been a blighted property in our community for so many years. I’m talking decades, and it’s taken us a long time to get here,” said New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, during the lottery ceremony.
The city tore down the decaying old school building and built 11 brand-new, single-family homes, then offered them up through a housing lottery open to qualified first-time buyers.
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“I never win anything,” said Wendy Newton, one of the selected winners.
After months of struggling to find affordable housing in her hometown, Newton said the program came just in time.
“It’s been a struggle. I got outbid on a lot of homes I can’t afford, and this came along, so I said I’ll give it a try,” Newton said.
All applicants were pre-qualified. Now, they just have to finalize their mortgages before officially moving in.
The city has also identified four backup applicants in case any of the 11 winners are unable to close.
Victoria Anderson is a Multi-Skilled Journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at vanderson@fox61.comFollow her on X and Instagram.
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